Feasibility of platestreaking method in monitoring total bacteria counts in dental unit waterlines

Abstract:

ObjectiveTo study the feasibility of platestreaking method in monitoring total bacteria counts in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs).Methods50 water samples from DUWLs were taken and cultured by platestreaking method and pouredplate method, colony counts of two cultured methods was compared.ResultsThe difference in colony counts of DUWLs between pouredplate method and platestreaking method was not significant(T=315.50,P＞0.05）; the qualified rate of water was 58.00% and 52.00% respectively, there was no statistical difference in the qualified rate of water detected between two methods (χ2=0.57，P>0.05).ConclusionThe total colony counts detected by platestreaking method and pouredplate method is not different, platestreaking method is easy to be performed, it can instead pouredplate method to monitor the colony counts in DUWLs.

Key words:

platestreaking method; pouredplate method; dental unit waterline; colony count; healthcareassociated infection; water quality monitoring